Date: Celebrated 20 days after Dasara, on the 13th day of the
dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin (October - November)

Legend: Deepawali or Diwali, the most pan-Indian of all Hindu
festivals, is a festival of lights symbolizing the victory of righteousness
and the lifting of spiritual darkness. The word Deepawali literally
means rows of Diyas (clay lamps).

"Deepavali has to be observed as the day for getting rid of
all bad qualities in us, symbolized by the demon Narakasura. The 16,000
gopikas, who were freed by Krishna from the prison of Narakasura on
that day, represent the imprisoned good qualities in us. They should
be manifested effulgently. This is the inner significance of this
festival. As long as the demonic qualities remain in man, he will
be immersed in darkness. Bad qualities and thoughts have to be got
rid of altogether.

This Amavasya day is the day of liberation for the gopikas. It is
a moonless day, when the night is utterly dark. The gopikas prayed
that as on that day they had got the light of freedom, it should be
marked by illuminations, which would make everyone rejoice as on a
full moon night. It is for this reason that the day, which is a New
Moon day, is illuminated by lamps and fireworks and turned into a
Full Moon night.

If you want to light a lamp, you need four things. First: a
container, second: oil, third: a wick, fourth: a matchbox. If any
one of these is lacking, you cannot light the lamp. This lamp however
can only remove the outer darkness. How is the darkness in the heart
to be removed? It can only be removed by the Light of Wisdom (Jnana
Jyoti) and by nothing else. How is this Light of Wisdom, this spiritual
light, to be lit? This also needs four elements. Vairaagya (detachment
or renunciation) is the container. Bhakti (Devotion) is the oil. Ekaagrataa
(one pointed concentration) is the wick. Knowledge of the Supreme
Truth is the matchstick. Without all the four, the Light of Spiritual
Wisdom cannot be got."